Hapeville Fire Department investigates suspicious house fire

HAPEVILLE, Ga. - Witnesses say they saw suspicious activity before a fire broke out in a south Fulton County home early Thursday morning.

The fire began around 1 a.m. on Harding Avenue in Hapeville, fire officials said.

Residents told Channel 2’s Darryn Moore off camera that a man on a bike came from behind the house and minutes later, flames started shooting out the back side.

“They seen some people come out early. One of the residents did see suspicious activity and called an investigator in along with a police investigator to check it out as well,” Lt. Joey Overton of the Hapeville Police Department said.

Hapeville firefighters said flames and smoke consumed the home and forced nearby homes to be evacuated.

When crews arrived, the bulk of the fire was in the back of the home.

No one was inside at the time of the fire. Neighbors told Moore the home was a rental property and the tenants were in the process of being evicted.

No one was hurt in the in the fire. Investigators are searching for the cause.